London has been battered by 50mph winds that have felled trees and caused travel chaos. Powerful gusts swept across the capital as the Met Office issued a yellow "be aware" weather alert for most of the country.

Andreas Weimann struck twice as Aston Villa came from behind to book a place in the semi-finals of the Capital One Cup with a 4-1 win at Norwich as manager Paul Lambert enjoyed a triumphant return to his old club.

Lambert received a mixed welcome as he walked out at Carrow Road, with a few jeers heard among general applause for the man who masterminded the Norfolk outfit's meteoric rise up to the top flight from the depths of npower League One.

However, the former Canaries boss, who is in dispute with his old employers after an acrimonious departure during the summer, enjoyed the last laugh as substitute Weimann hit a second-half brace to turn the tie around after Brett Holman had cancelled out Steve Morison's opener. Christian Benteke cracked in a fourth during stoppage time to move Villa a step closer to Wembley.

Norwich, who were defending an unbeaten 10-game run heading into the game, almost snatched the lead inside five minutes when Morison's effort came back off the post. The recalled Darren Bent then went clean through on to Holman's pass, only for Mark Bunn to make a smart save.

Norwich took the lead on 19 minutes.The ball was flicked on into the path of Morison, who showed great composure to lift his shot over Shay Given and into the net. Villa, though, were soon back on level terms, as Holman slammed home an equaliser less than two minutes later.

A long ball from Matt Lowton was knocked down into the path of the Australian, who swept a superb effort past Bunn from 20 yards - much to the delight of Lambert in the unfamiliar visitors dugout.

Bent's return lasted only 34 minutes, as the former Sunderland striker signalled to the bench clutching his hamstring, and was replaced by Weimann. At the other end, Given redeemed himself after some earlier poor touches with a fine save at the near post from Morison following a quick break down the left.

Morison ran on to a through ball and slotted into the bottom left corner, but his celebrations were cut short by an offside flag. The same happened at the other end just moments later when Weimann burst down the right on the counter and cut a ball back across the six-yard box for Benteke to nod in - only to again see the effort chalked off.

Villa snatched the lead with 12 minutes left after Eric Lichaj charged down the right flank and sent a low cross through the six-yard box, where Weimann arrived at the far post to slot home.

Lambert's men made sure of their semi-final place after a mix-up in the Norwich defence saw the ball drop to Benteke, who squared for Weimann to slot in a third on 84 minutes. Benteke added a fourth in stoppage time, smashing home from the edge of the penalty area.